Over the course of the year, you will have the opportunity to explore and analyze a variety of different traditions, techniques, and genres of literature from around the globe. This course is especially expansive in terms of time and place. Your educational journey will lead you down a path in which you read ancient myths that were written 3500 years ago as well as a poignant World War II memoir penned a mere twenty years ago. This course also heavily emphasizes writing and offers extensive instruction in the writing process. Fifty percent of the class workload focuses on the writing craft. Vocabulary (stems) will also be reviewed and continued throughout the year.
Contact Information- Email- Jeffrey.vlk@d214.org (best method of contact)
Phone- 847-718-4339
Homework and Late Work-
Homework is due at the beginning of the period. It will be counted as late if you do not have it when I check it and or turn it in after I have collected it. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.
It is your responsibility to find out what you missed if you are absent. You can ask me or contact a class mate to get the assignment and/or notes.
No Late Work Accepted. You miss a day of school you have ONE day to turn in assignment or it is entered in as a zero.
General grading scale
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59 & under F
• Coursework 75%
• Participation 10%
• Final 15%
When you type an assignment …
All of your writing assignments done out of class will need to be typed and follow all of the following rules. If any of these are not followed, the assignment will be immediately handed back to you, and you must fix the problem and turn it back in for late credit.
1. Must be double spaced
2. Must be 12-font Times New Roman
(Not Courier New) Yes, we can tell the difference.
3. Must have 1-inch margins
4. Must have a double-spaced full heading in the upper left-hand corner
a full heading includes your name, American Studies, teacher’s name, and the date
5. Must skip one line, then type an original title in the same size and font as the rest of the paper. The title should be centered.
6. Must skip one line, then start the paper
7. No skipping lines between paragraphs; just hit “return” at the end of a paragraph, then indent the next line and keep going
8. No contractions on anything that is typed (can’t, won’t, he’s, they’re)
9. No homonym errors on anything that is typed (their/there/they’re, two/too/to, you’re/your, whose/who’s, effect/affect, whether/weather)
The rest of the general rules
1. You must be an active learner who participates in all of our activities. Don’t just be a sponge who absorbs others’ ideas; share your own!
2. You must try to maintain a positive attitude at all times. You’ll get out of this class what you put into, and this class will be as much fun as you allow us to make it.
3. You must have respect for others, including us
4. Be on time for class every day
5. You can only drink water in class, and there is no eating in class. If you need to eat something, do so on your 5-minute break
6. No packing up until one minute before the bell.
This rule is a biggie because there is nothing more rude than shuffling around your
books while we’re still involved in an activity.
The way this rule works is this:
for every minute a student begins to pack up before the assigned time,
the entire class will stay after for two minutes. No passes will be given, so
best of luck getting to your next class on time!
Mygradebook.com-
In having such a useful resource, it is your responsibility as a student to continuously keep yourself up to date on your grade or missing assignments. Directions to access your grade: The class word for the website is __. Your ID number is your password.
Expectations-
I expect you to have a folder and notebook for English class only. You are also expected to show up on time, pay attention, and come to class prepared with a writing utensil and any other supplies you may deem necessary.
Tardy Policy-
I expect you to be in the classroom when the bell rings. If you are not, you are considered tardy. No exceptions.
Units and Core Readings
-Pre-Biblical Literature and Myths
-Ancient China, Japan, Asia
-Greeks and Romans
-Buddhism, Taoism, Zen
-Romantic Era
-African Literature
-WWII Literature
Required Readings and texts-
Text Book, Vocabulary workbook, The Odyssey, Things Fall Apart, and In My Hands. This short list does not include a variety of short stories, poems, and essays that will be explored throughout the year.
You are responsible for maintaining your text book and returning it at the conclusion of the year. Any damage will result in the appropriate fine(s). I am not responsible for your text book if you leave it in the room and it turns up missing. This is a calculated risk you are welcome to take, but understand these text books are quite expensive.
Final Thoughts-
Responsibility is a particularly important word as you continue along in your educational endeavors. You and you only, are responsible for your actions and performance while in class. Learning about accountability and its significance is an imperative lesson in both school and life. Take pride in what you do and be responsible.
I will not bore you with general rules and regulations, but take note of the following. Use common sense while in class. Stop and think before you act or speak. If you think for a second something you are going to do or say might be inappropriate, it probably is. Lastly, respect is essential in my goal of creating an educational utopia. That being said, without the presence of respect in the classroom, your educational journey and experience will forever be altered.
General Information and Overview-
Over the course of the year, you will have the opportunity to explore and analyze a variety of different traditions, techniques, and genres of literature from around the globe. This course is especially expansive in terms of time and place. Your educational journey will lead you down a path in which you read ancient myths that were written 3500 years ago as well as a poignant World War II memoir penned a mere twenty years ago. This course also heavily emphasizes writing and offers extensive instruction in the writing process. Fifty percent of the class workload focuses on the writing craft. Vocabulary (stems) will also be reviewed and continued throughout the year.
Contact Information- Email- Jeffrey.vlk@d214.org (best method of contact)
Phone- 847-718-4339
Homework and Late Work-
Homework is due at the beginning of the period. It will be counted as late if you do not have it when I check it and or turn it in after I have collected it. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule.
It is your responsibility to find out what you missed if you are absent. You can ask me or contact a class mate to get the assignment and/or notes.
No Late Work Accepted. You miss a day of school you have ONE day to turn in assignment or it is entered in as a zero.
General grading scale
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59 & under F
• Coursework 75%
• Participation 10%
• Final 15%
When you type an assignment …
All of your writing assignments done out of class will need to be typed and follow all of the following rules. If any of these are not followed, the assignment will be immediately handed back to you, and you must fix the problem and turn it back in for late credit.
1. Must be double spaced
2. Must be 12-font Times New Roman
- (Not Courier New) Yes, we can tell the difference.
3. Must have 1-inch margins4. Must have a double-spaced full heading in the upper left-hand corner
- a full heading includes your name, American Studies, teacher’s name, and the date
5. Must skip one line, then type an original title in the same size and font as the rest of the paper. The title should be centered.6. Must skip one line, then start the paper
7. No skipping lines between paragraphs; just hit “return” at the end of a paragraph, then indent the next line and keep going
8. No contractions on anything that is typed (can’t, won’t, he’s, they’re)
9. No homonym errors on anything that is typed (their/there/they’re, two/too/to, you’re/your, whose/who’s, effect/affect, whether/weather)
The rest of the general rules
1. You must be an active learner who participates in all of our activities. Don’t just be a sponge who absorbs others’ ideas; share your own!
2. You must try to maintain a positive attitude at all times. You’ll get out of this class what you put into, and this class will be as much fun as you allow us to make it.
3. You must have respect for others, including us
4. Be on time for class every day
5. You can only drink water in class, and there is no eating in class. If you need to eat something, do so on your 5-minute break
6. No packing up until one minute before the bell.
- This rule is a biggie because there is nothing more rude than shuffling around your
books while we’re still involved in an activity.- The way this rule works is this:
for every minute a student begins to pack up before the assigned time,the entire class will stay after for two minutes. No passes will be given, so
best of luck getting to your next class on time!
Mygradebook.com-
In having such a useful resource, it is your responsibility as a student to continuously keep yourself up to date on your grade or missing assignments. Directions to access your grade: The class word for the website is __. Your ID number is your password.
Expectations-
I expect you to have a folder and notebook for English class only. You are also expected to show up on time, pay attention, and come to class prepared with a writing utensil and any other supplies you may deem necessary.
Tardy Policy-
I expect you to be in the classroom when the bell rings. If you are not, you are considered tardy. No exceptions.
Units and Core Readings
-Pre-Biblical Literature and Myths
-Ancient China, Japan, Asia
-Greeks and Romans
-Buddhism, Taoism, Zen
-Romantic Era
-African Literature
-WWII Literature
Required Readings and texts-
Text Book, Vocabulary workbook, The Odyssey, Things Fall Apart, and In My Hands. This short list does not include a variety of short stories, poems, and essays that will be explored throughout the year.
You are responsible for maintaining your text book and returning it at the conclusion of the year. Any damage will result in the appropriate fine(s). I am not responsible for your text book if you leave it in the room and it turns up missing. This is a calculated risk you are welcome to take, but understand these text books are quite expensive.
Final Thoughts-
Responsibility is a particularly important word as you continue along in your educational endeavors. You and you only, are responsible for your actions and performance while in class. Learning about accountability and its significance is an imperative lesson in both school and life. Take pride in what you do and be responsible.
I will not bore you with general rules and regulations, but take note of the following. Use common sense while in class. Stop and think before you act or speak. If you think for a second something you are going to do or say might be inappropriate, it probably is. Lastly, respect is essential in my goal of creating an educational utopia. That being said, without the presence of respect in the classroom, your educational journey and experience will forever be altered.